Best Bars
The Smart Drinker's Guide to Seattle
By James Ross Gardner, Jessica Voelker, and Christopher Werner
Growing Up Gainsbourg
“It’s our baby,” says Hannah Levin, a KEXP DJ and Seattle Weekly rock journalist. “It’s a chain-smoking, alcoholic baby, but it’s still our baby.” She’s talking about Gainsbourg, the Greenwood “French tapas” bar she recently opened with longtime Seattle bartender J. J. Wandler. To get this baby up and crawling, the couple called upon friends. Jake Nelson, props guy at Teatro Zinzanni, sewed the brocade curtain toppers lining the front windows. Antique chrome bar stools—the sort you simply must spin around on—were a gift from Max Genereaux, owner of Sunset Tavern. Scott Kannberg, erstwhile Pavement guitarist, became the café’s third partner, forking over much-needed funds. Musicians traveling through town quietly perform unannounced secret shows, lending Gainsbourg a certain cool-kid cachet. But, says Levin, Gainsbourg is not just “some hipster bar.” “She comes in every day,” she says, waving toward a gray-haired neighborhood woman who sits perched at the bar reading a novel, a glass of riesling resting on the counter beside her. Gainsbourg, 8550 Greenwood Ave N, Greenwood, 206-781-2224; www.myspace.com/gainsbourglounge
Essential Drinking
Want the best cocktail experience in Seattle? Stand up. Grab this magazine. Go to Ballard. Go to Hazlewood. Order the Hazlewood, invention of part-owner Drew Church. It’s Bushmills, honey peppermint tea, and a splash of amaretto, garnished with a Theo Chocolates truffle and Nat Sherman ciggy. Carry your drink upstairs. No spilling—this concoction set you back $10. Sink into a plush sofa. Recommence reading magazine. Drink drink. Eat chocolate. Close magazine. Walk out onto Market Street. Light cigarette or just give it a deep sniff. Smell those cloves. Relish, and repeat. Hazlewood, 2311 NW Market St, Ballard, 206-783-0478; www.myspace.com/hazlewoodbar
Published: May 2009
How is it possible that you did a profile of Seattle best cocktails without mentioning Spur Gastropub? David’s drinks are, by far, some of the best and most inventive in the city, and happy hour pricing is only $6 for all Spur Cocktails (they usually run from $9-$12). In my opinion, this was a very serious omission on your part.
We definitely love Nelson’s drinks. Check out this Sauced post! http://www.seattlemet.com/blogs/sauced/spur-davidnelson-0428/
We started out with a long list of bars. Spur was on it. Along the way, we eliminated establishments where we encountered issues in service, product, atmosphere, etc. Spur did not, in the end, make the cut, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have some amazing qualities—cocktails chief among them.
So…any other serious omissions?
-JV
Knee High is a great hideaway in plain sight. Coming from NYC, we frequented Knee High while in Seattle recently, and felt right at home in its scene (great ppl watching and atmosphere). We loved the cocktail and food prices: average $5 drinks (my favorite was the pomegranate and pimms concoction called P&P) and $6 dishes (must have homemade chicken potpie). Everybody working there including the proprietors Jack and Michelle were always on hand to look after us, and this extra TLC made our experience that much more memorable.
From what I’ve read, Tini’s won all their awards being progressive in cocktails pre-2008 if I’m not mistaken.
By not copying recipes from the 40’s because it was hip at the Pegu Club 5 yrs ago.
“It’s not as packed as it use to be…” He said it, not me.
Hey buddy, will ya buy me a drink?
this is only a test